Double Play Advice

[spitoon]

Does anybody have any advice on how to avoid hitting into so many double plays?

I hit well enough (top 10 in all team hitting categories), but I hit into a ton of DP's...In mid Sept I have 40 more than the 2nd worst team in the league...just came off a game where I hit into 4.

Probably the single most frustrating thing for me in the game...

[bobeureally27]

What hitting difficulty are you on?

[moral_virus]

Not a whole lot of information to go on, so some basic questions to understand what you're doing:

1. Do you run the bases a lot? Are you stealing and putting yourself in better scenarios where you aren't always hitting in DP situations?

2. Are you selecting your pitches at all or just swinging at anything in the zone?

3. How is your strikeout rate? Perhaps eat a few more strikeouts and avoid putting the ball on the ground for the easy DP just to lighten up the stress of constantly ending rallies quickly. If you're not being selective, maybe now is the time to just sit back and take pitches instead of just free-swinging.

4. Are you using the power button a lot over the contact button?

5. Have you thought about instead opting to lay more bunts down to avoid hitting into more DPs?

Just a few things to consider on how to change up your approach.

[brett the jet favre]

Quote: Originally Posted by spitoon

Does anybody have any advice on how to avoid hitting into so many double plays? I hit well enough (top 10 in all team hitting categories), but I hit into a ton of DP's...In mid Sept I have 40 more than the 2nd worst team in the league...just came off a game where I hit into 4. Probably the single most frustrating thing for me in the game...

well id have to say have a team full of Ichiros

[Konsonum]

Quote: Originally Posted by brett the jet favre

well id have to say have a team full of Ichiros

Nah, he's getting too old. I'd say a team of Ellsburies.

OT: Influence fly ball and aim your PCI in the lower part of the strike zone, is all I can say.

[Heroesandvillains]

Quote: Originally Posted by moral_virus

Not a whole lot of information to go on, so some basic questions to understand what you're doing: 1. Do you run the bases a lot? Are you stealing and putting yourself in better scenarios where you aren't always hitting in DP situations? 2. Are you selecting your pitches at all or just swinging at anything in the zone? 3. How is your strikeout rate? Perhaps eat a few more strikeouts and avoid putting the ball on the ground for the easy DP just to lighten up the stress of constantly ending rallies quickly. If you're not being selective, maybe now is the time to just sit back and take pitches instead of just free-swinging. 4. Are you using the power button a lot over the contact button? 5. Have you thought about instead opting to lay more bunts down to avoid hitting into more DPs? Just a few things to consider on how to change up your approach.

Wow. That just about covers it. I use all of these things.

You could also try swing influence (r-stick up). But it's no guarentee.

[spitoon]

Thanks for the input guys.

Some responses to the questions:

1) I think I need to start stealing a bit more...I play as the Twins, so I have a few guys that can steal. I think Span leads the team with 25 or so at the end of August.

2) I am aware that the CPU AI will try to throw low in the zone with runners on, so I try to wait for good pitches to hit in those situations.

3) I don't strike out very often, maybe 2 or 3 times per game unless I'm facing someone really good. I suppose taking a few more K's would reduce the number of DP's...one out is better than two

4) I never use the power button.

5) I have started to sacrifice more. I get tied up in the "AL thing" and probably don't sacrifice as much as I should...again one out is better than two.

As for some of the other questions:

I'm old so I play on Veteran Level...can't imagine the game being any harder than that

I don't use the swing influence very much...maybe I'll try that a bit more.

Thanks guys!

[namzza]

i have found that the swing influence does not work real well, except on sac bunts